Video: New Study Suggests Fans May Raise Body Temperatures With the Elderly

Posted:
Wednesday, September 7, 2016 12:00 AM EDT

DALLAS, TEXAS - A recent study suggests that elderly people's body temperatures may rise when using an electric fan rather than fall.In a small experiment, published in the Journal of American Medical Association, eight seniors were monitored for two hours sitting in a 107-degree chamber one day, in front of a 16-inch electric fan another, and finally a day without a fan.Researchers found heart rates and body temperatures rose slightly in the controlled test with the fan.One theory is that age-related changes may cause seniors to sweat less, so the fans may just be moving hot air over their skin rather than cooling them off.Authors stress that results are not completely clear and do not advise people to stop using fans during hot weather.